How to do a DIY Manicure at Home

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Give yourself a salon-quality, DIY manicure at home using natural ingredients.

I have a confession: I never really liked going to a salon to get my nails done.

And I ALWAYS smear the freshly painted fingers as soon as I leave the salon, no matter how long I sit with my hands under the little light.

So I stopped going and started doing my nails at home.

Over the years I’ve gotten pretty good at giving myself a salon-quality manicure at home. A few years back I got really into painting my nails, and even started doing nail art and nail stamping.

It was a fun little hobby that I did after the kids were in bed, but I did not like the feel of the store-bought ones on my nails. Here comes the manicure in the picture. I can safely say that I’ve perfected the DIY natural manicure and even elevated it to salon quality from the comfort of my home.

WHAT ARE THE BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR A DIY MANICURE?

All of the recipes here use lemon, lavender, and rosemary. These 3 herbs (or essential oils) are great for nail care – they strengthen nails, help with discoloration, soften cuticles, and all smell amazing.

 It will basically be like you’re having a spa treatment where everything is synergistic and completely natural. WINNING.

Here are the 8 steps to a completely natural, DIY manicure from the comfort of your own home.

1. REMOVE OLD POLISH

Take off any old polish with a nail polish remover you can find (no acetone!).

2. DO A DIY MANICURE SOAK

Next, it’s time to soak those fingers and get everything nice and soft. Prepare an herbal manicure soak recipe for your nails and cuticles.

For this recipe, you’ll need: warm water, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of lavender buds, ½ teaspoon of fresh or dried rosemary leaves, and 4 drops of vitamin E oil (optional).

• Combine all ingredients in a bowl or dish that is large enough for both of your hands to be mostly submerged.
• Let herby water steep for 10-15 minutes, or until cool enough for your hands (but still warm)
• Soak in warm water for at least 5 minutes (longer if you have it).
• Turn on an audio book or your favorite podcast and relaaaaxxxxx.
• Keep a towel close by to wipe hands once your manicure soak is complete.

3. EXFOLIATE YOUR HANDS

After you’ve soaked your hands, it’s time to exfoliate any dead or dull skin. Skin is nice and supple after an herbal soak, so it’s the perfect time to exfoliate.

4. NATURAL CUTICLE CARE

Next, it’s time to moisturize and care for your cuticles. I love to use a homemade cuticle oil for this, and it works so well my cuticles don’t need much else. I prefer not to push or cut my cuticles, and find if I use this cuticle oil regularly, I don’t need to.

Feel free to rub this oil on the rest of your hands too if they need extra nourishment; it’s a great moisturizer.

This cuticle oil recipe is nourishing and helps to strengthen nails, so you can add this to your nightly routine and your nails will look amazing.

5. TRIM, BUFF AND SHAPE NAILS

It’s time to clean up those nails with a quick trim, shaping and buffing.

Buffing your nails is a great way to keep them looking healthy and shiny. It removed excess oil buildup and increase circulation, making nails look naturally shiny.

So if you’re going for a completely natural manicure with no polish, buffing is a crucial step to that perfect manicured look.

I don’t do a lot of shaping to my nails because I like their natural shape. But this is a great tutorial on how to shape your nails:

If you’re going for a polish-free, natural manicure, then you are done!

But if you’d like to apply some color, you have just a few more steps.

6. APPLY A BASECOAT

Always start with a basecoat – it protects your nails from discoloration and damage from nail polish. It also helps your polish to stay on longer so your hard work isn’t chipping away by tomorrow.

7. TOP IT OFF

Your final step is a top coat, which adds an extra layer of shine, smooths things out, and protects polish from chips.

I’ve found when I use a basecoat, high quality polish and a top coat, my DIY manicure lasts at least a week.

DIY MANICURE AT HOME NATURALLY

To recap your steps for your at-home manicure:

1. Remove old polish with a less-toxic remover like this one
2. Do an herbal nail soak
3. Exfoliate and moisturize hands with a homemade hand scrub
4. Moisturize cuticles and strengthen nails with cuticle oil
5. Trim, shape and buff those nails
6. Apply a basecoat
7. Use your favorite nail polish
8. Apply a top coat

Sit back and admire your beautiful, natural nails!